The leading rusher in the Austrian Football League in 2019, by a wide margin, running back Herbert Gamboa, has signed to play for the IBM Big Blue in Japan’s X League.
The X League is scheduled to kick off a COVID-19 shortened season on October 24.
Last season, Gamboa racked up 1,709 yards rushing to go along with 17 touchdowns to lead the league. In fact, he had almost double the yardage of the second-leading rusher. He had three +200 yard rushing days including 235 yards in the 34-31 wild card playoff win over the SonicWall Mödling Rangers.
Photo: David Hofman
The 6′, 210 lb Gamboa, whose hometown is San Clemente, California, but is a native of Merida Yucatán, Mexico, spent a season playing linebacker for the Lazio Ducks in Italy’s Division 1 before signing with Prague in 2019. He was a two-year starter for the University of Montana Grizzlies during his four year career in Missoula and first-team All Big Sky conference in his senior year and a preseason USA College Football All-American. At San Clemente High School, Gamboa helped his team rise to a number 5 national ranking.
Gamboa explains that the opportunity came through one of his coaches:
“I got the chance to join IBM through my defensive coordinator from Prague, James Brooks, who is going on his seventh season with IBM.”
Needless to say, he is happy to be playing football this year:
“Although the season will be shorter this year due to Covid-19 I’m excited for the opportunity to compete in the Xleague and all the talent Japan has to offer.”